[pct-l] section times

[pbaily at webuniverse.net (Phil Baily)]

I think that doing both is easily doable. It is only a matter of time and of
avoiding serious foot problems like blisters. I vote for August and early
September as the best times. In August, wildflowers are still out, serious
snow is gone, and most mosquitoes are gone. In late September, you have a
high chance of being snowed on. The hiking population is much lower after
Labor Day.  I would do the TRT first. The TRT is very pretty, but the JMT
has the more spectacular scenery. If you do the JMT first you may be bored
by the TRT hiking. The TRT is gentler and would serve as good conditioning
for the high passes on the JMT. If you forget something, injure something,
or decide extended hiking is not for you, it is easier to get out from the
TRT than from most of the JMT; all those things become slightly less likely
as you hike more. It will take less time to walk the TRT, and you might want
to start with something a little less ambitious and use what you learn about
yourself and your needs to select the right things to bring (probably less)
on the second longer hike. Before final planning, you probably should check
into the availability of resupply points on the JMT. I believe that Red's
Meadow and Vermillion Resort and John Muir Ranch all close for the winter. I
don't know the exact dates. (If you have friends to bring in resupplies or
are planning to go out on the East side of the Sierras, this doesn't matter
much.)

Everyone is different and you will have to make your own decision, but I
hope this gives you some things to think about. Enjoy your hiking!

Phil

P.S. I have walked all of the JMT, but only part of the TRT.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kimberly Sorbello" <ksorbello@hotmail.com>
To: <steve_peterson@sbcglobal.net>
Cc: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:44 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] section times


> Thanks, Steve. I'll look for those books.  We'd pretty much planned that
> timeline for Tahoe Rim, so it's good to have that confirmed.  We'd like to
> do some shorter (1-week) hikes in prep, which is where the pct sections
come
> in. Do you know if doing the TRT and the John Muir the same year is
> reasonable re: avoiding snow?  If so, which would you suggest doing first?
> Kim
>
>
> From: Steve Peterson <steve_peterson@sbcglobal.net>
> To: Kimberly Sorbello <ksorbello@hotmail.com>
> CC
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] section times: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 08:36:17 -0800
>
> My vote for the Sierras would be after Labor Day being sure to finish your
> hike by Oct 1 (or even a little sooner). No crowds, no bugs, pretty darn
> good weather, though the later you are out there, the greater the
> probability of some snow. On the other hand, it is drier and you'll see
very
> few wildflowers, not much snow on the peaks (most years), and the nights
> will be a little colder.
>
> The Wilderness Press guidebooks (vols 1, 2, and 3) generally have comments
> about the best times of year to hike the various sections.
>
> --Steve
>
> Kimberly Sorbello wrote:
> >We are retiring and newly back into backpacking and are interested in
> >section-hiking the pct.  The books we've been able to find deal generally
> >with thru-hiking timelines, but we would like to hike sections at their
> >optimum seasons.  What is the lowest section's best time; I'm assuming it
> >is spring, but could someone tell me something more specific re: the
> >earliest times to hike it in relative pleasure/comfort? Thanks. Also,1if
> >someone could tell us the optimum time to hike the Tahoe Rim and the John
> >Muir...  Thank you!
> >Pilgrim
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l